President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Head of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan were amongst the dignatries that were in Ikene, Ogun state today to pay their last respect to the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) who made her glorious and final exit.
HID Awolowo died on September 19 and was today interred beside her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, inside the 28 –year- old Awo’s Mausoleum located within the sprawling Awolowo’s compound in Ikenne.
Others who were in Ikene to pay their last respect wer Aliko Dangote, the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor Ibikunle Amosun, Wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Governor Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Governor Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Governor Mohammed Bingo (Adamawa); and Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo).
Others are Minster of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Environment Mrs. Amina Mohammed and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The list also includes: former Governors Lateef Jakande (Lagos); Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); Olagunsoye Oyinlola; as well as businessmen Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko and Chief Shubomi Balogun. APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Sen. Gbenga Kaka, Chief Dipo Shonibare, wife of the Vice President and the late Mrs. Awolowo’s grand-daughter, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Iyalode Alaba Lawson.
Speaking to a gathering of family members, friends, associates and other prominent Nigerians, President Buhari said that the deceased deserved the attention she was receiving from home and abroad, adding that she effectively took care of the home front while her husband was busy around the country and throughout the world. “Let me appreciate those who have come to participate in this ceremony. When I was in the car, I discussed it with the Governor of Ogun state that the late Mrs. Awolowo and all the nation is doing for her. “While chief was all over the country and the world, she was effectively managing the family. So, she earned this. May her soul rest in perfect peace. “And for you that have for weeks been gathering friends, associates and facing all the logistic problems day and night, I congratulate you for a very successful burial of the late Mrs. Awolowo “I came back last evening from Iran and I had to make sure I do not miss the last rites for Mrs. Awolowo because she earned it. “This is the third time I have been here and I hope the family will try and continue to hold together as they have been doing.” Speaking earlier, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state expressed delight at the presence of the president in Ikenne, noting that it was an honour not only to Mama H.I.D, her family and womenfolk but to the whole of Yoruba race and the nation. Speaking for the family, the eldest child of Awolowo, Mrs. Oyediran welcomed the president to Awolowo’s house and thanked him for the honour. She said there had been outpouring of love on the late matriarch of the Awolowo family everywhere they had been to as a demonstration of how well loved she was. “Judging by the life that mama led, little did we know that she was so loved by all Nigerians and you all have demonstrated it this afternoon. So, we warmly welcome you into our midst.” While thanking the president and various state governors in the south west who have been part burial activities, she stated: “You have been extremely wonderful to this family. “When we got to Lagos, we thought that was it. When we got to Ibadan, it was a complete standstill and when we got to Ogun, the governor was dancing with us all the way from Shagamu to ikenne with all the beautiful ladies with us here this afternoon.”
“So, I want to thank you and to use this opportunity to wish your government progress and the good work which you have started, I pray that the good Lord will continue to support you and you will not fail in Jesus name. We all believe that there will be a change.” [myad]
The Movement for Actualization for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has accused South East Governors and other Igbo leaders of displaying a classic case of inferiority complex in matters that they ought to have decisively act on.
“They have shown their soft mind, inferiority complex and loyalty to our oppressors. We shall prove to Nigeria that the Igbo governors, national assembly members, other Igbo leaders are not truly in charge of affairs in Igboland.”
Reacting to a meeting held by the governors and leaders last Sunday at the Enugu State Government House in an attempt to end ongoing protests by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and MASSOB, over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, MASSOB rejected the resolutions, one of which was the setting up of a committee to dialogue with the pro-Biafrian agitators.
Saying that such resolution did not address the major reason for the protests, which it said, was the continued detention of Kanu, MASSOB asked: “how can revered Igbo leaders waste a whole day in a marathon meeting without discussing our simple demand of Nnamdi Kanu’s release?
“Are they afraid of Northern oligarchy, western alliance with north or President Buhari? The governors, Ohaneze and other Igbo leaders have proved that they’re not representing the interest & demands of Ndigbo.
National Director of Information, MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, said the only way to end the crisis is the unconditional release of Mr. Kanu.
“DSS is buying time for long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu to impress Buhari and Northern political cabals that they can frustrate Biafra revolution.
“Long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by DSS will only motivate, inspire and increase the moral of Biafran agitators. How long shall they continue to detain an innocent man who already commands the massive respect of Ndigbo even in detention?
“MASSOB and IPOB members are not demonstrating or protesting against infrastructural decay in Igboland or non inclusion of Igbos in major political appointments but the release of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, who represents the genuine desire of the people eastern region.
“Other demands and clamour of Ndigbo as a result of the current political tension are good but major one now is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.”
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the Igbo leaders, which included present and past governors, ministers, national assembly members, had said the meeting resolved to set up a committee to dialogue with the pro-Biafra agitators. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which begins in the island nation on Friday.
The Commonwealth is made up of Britain, Nigeria and 51 other countries that work together to pursue common goals and promote development, democracy, peace, security and good governance.
A statement today by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that Buhari and other Heads of State and Government who will be in Malta for this year’s summit are expected to deliberate on fresh Commonwealth initiatives on development and climate change with a view to adding greater value to ongoing global efforts in these areas.
Adesina said that a new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth who will take over from the incumbent, Kamalesh Sharma, will be announced at the summit which will also feature the presentation of a progress report on the eradication of polio.
“The Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will formally declare the summit open and host a banquet in honour of President Buhari and other participating Heads of State and Government.
“At the conclusion of the Summit on Sunday, President Buhari will leave Malta for Paris where he will present Nigeria’s statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to open in the French capital on Monday, November 30.
“ The President will join over 100 other world leaders at the Leaders Event on the opening day of the conference which will be hosted by President Francois Hollande of France and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.
“President Buhari will also participate in a summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic which has been scheduled to take place on December 2 in Paris on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.
“Deliberations at the Paris meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic will focus mainly on the war against Boko Haram and other security issues of common interest to participating countries.”
The Presidential spokesman said that the President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd.). [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to visit Lagos on Friday, for the first time since he assumed office, to witness the re-branding and re-positioning of the state Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, President Buhari will be the special guest of honour at the Lagos House, Alausa in Ikeja, to formally commission the three helicopters, patrol vehicles, power bikes and other security gadgets acquired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to beef up security in the state through the RRS.
The statement said that Buhari’s visit would further witness the rebranding of the RRS as the state’s no-nonsense police response squad against crime and criminality, adding that the President will also join Governor Ambode in handing over the brand new patrol equipment to the Police authorities in the state.
The equipment to be handed over include: three helicopters, two patrol boats, 100 motorcycles, 13 BM power bikes, 60 Ford salon cars, 55 Ford Rangers, 40 Toyota salon cars, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, 31 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as police uniforms and other kits.
Ayorinde said that the Friday’s ceremony will underscore the seriousness of the Lagos State Government in ensuring the security of lives and property, adding: “with these security equipment, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his firm commitment and ability to safeguard the lives and property of every Lagosian.
“The government is convinced this gesture will further boost the morale and capacity of the Police, RRS and other security agencies in the state. It is an attestation to the efficacy of the state’s Security Trust Fund and we believe that this will send a clear signal that criminals and armed robbers no longer have hiding place in the state as government will spare no effort in ridding the state of every form of criminality.”
The statement added that the deployment of the security gadgets would further complement the efforts of the State Government in making the state a mega city that is working for all and sundry.
“It is noteworthy that the Lagos State Government has stepped up its enforcement of traffic laws and declared zero tolerance on potholes on the roads, a decision that has brought to 282 the number of roads so far rehabilitated in the past five months while another set of 189 roads has been marked for repairs before the end of the year,” he said.
All these, Ayorinde noted, have not only improved the free flow of traffic in the state but have equally reduced the incidence of robberies in traffic.
The statement called on the residents to continue to support the government by abiding by the Lagos State Traffic Law, which forbids, among others, street trading, plying BRT lane by private and commercial vehicles and also restrict commercial motorcycles on the highways. [myad]
Senators, mostly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stayed away from today’s sitting as Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party) presided over plenary.
Ekweremadu is presiding over today’s sitting as the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has traveled to Ikenne in Ogun State to attend the burial ceremony of Mama H.I. D Awolowo which was scheduled to take place today.
It was observed that today’s sitting is, however, quite stable compared to the first time Ekweremadu presided over the Senate.
Senators of the Unity Forum who have been neck deep in leadership tussle, including their arrowhead, Senator Kabiru Marafa participated fully in today’s plenary.
The plenary took much time looking at “Alteration Bill” sponsored by Senator T.A. Orji (Abia Central), Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), Nathan Achonu (Imo North).
The proposal for Alteration of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came as first reading. [myad]
“Frankly speaking, five months as governor, I am already tired.” This was a confession of the Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai when he spoke at the just concluded Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He added: “I honestly do not think that anyone who wants to do this job seriously can do it for more than four years and not burn out. When I look at some of my colleagues, some are putting on weight, they are looking nice, I ask them, ‘how do you do it.”
El-rufai said he had not had time to read a book in the last two years.
“As a state governor the challenge for me is what to do to create jobs in Kaduna State. Eighty-two per cent of the eight million people in Kaduna State are below the age of 35. My challenge is not whether population grows next year or the year after. It is to get jobs for this young people, otherwise no one will sleep in peace.” [myad]
Nigeria army has scheduled the zonal recruitment screening exercise for indigenes of Lagos State that have undergone successful pre-screening for the Nigerian Army 74th Regular recruits intake for November 30. The recruitment exercise will last unto December 12.
A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, said that the screening exercise will take place at the Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
The Statement added that the movement of the successful candidates from the Headquarters of 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks, Akure to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna will take place immediately after the screening exercise.
It enjoined affected candidates to take advantage of the screening exercise. [myad]
A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Akinola Muritala Salau is dead. He died last Saturday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja at the age of 68. He represented the South West geo-political zone in the INEC. The late Professor Salau who has since been buried in Ibadan according Muslim rites, took ill last month at the Commission’s post-election retreat at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Professor Akinola Muritala Salau was born on November 21st 1947. He hails from Oyo state. Professor Salau took his first degree B.Sc (Second Class Upper) Hons. in Physics in 1971 at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife. He had his M.Sc Applied Physics in 1974 and had his Ph.D Applied Physics in 1976. Professor Salau was a Mathematics Teacher at Adeola Odutola Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-ode, in 1967; Higher School Certificate Physics and Mathematics Teacher, Baptist High School, Abeokuta in 1971; Graduate Assistant, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, from 1971-76; Lecturer II in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1976-1979; Visiting Scientist, Optical Sciences Centre, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA, in 1979; Lecturer I in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1979-1980; Senior Lecturer in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1980-1988; Director, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1983-1992; Reader in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1988-1992; Professor of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1992 to date; Associate Lecturer, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho in 1995; Co-ordinator, Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in 1997; Acting Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, from July 6 1999 – May 22, 2000; Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH from May 23rd 2000 – May 22nd 2005. Professor Salau who was a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, was married and had five children. [myad]
I have always stood for what is right regardless of how people feel. Those who take their time to study me well know that I call a spade a spade whether it is politically sound or not. I am not a politician and I do not intend to be one and I am not looking for any favor from anyone in any shape or form. What prompted me to write this letter to President Buhari is of many folds.
Ebira as a Kingdom awesomely supported Muhammadu Buhari that led to his victory as President of Nigeria. I, in person knew how much support I accorded Buhari. It is not how much money you have in support of a candidate or how much stolen money that was lavished in an election. The moral and ethical standard of support given to President Buhari should make him wake up from his world of cocoon to face the reality of life. I do not dive into issue without carefully analyzing all the pros and cons of the issues.
President Buhari is a man I knew as young boy growing up in the North Eastern State when he became the Governor of North Eastern State specifically Bauchi that was later carved out of North Eastern State. Buhari was a man in my eyes as a man of action and trustworthiness, which was the main reason I was very passionate in my support for him during his election. President Buhari was a man who would like to be poor as far as someone out there has no food to eat. Buhari was a man who will do his very best for Nigerians because he understood what politics is really all about. He understood that as a leader you ought to serve the people who elected you into voice to make a difference in people’s life. President Buhari believes in teaching people how to fish instead of giving fish to the people. President Buhari believes in educating the young minds of our youths that was why I was so passionate about his leadership skills.
After President Buhari became the President elect the entire world celebrated his victory which was a landslide. I am perturbed that same man that I knew right from when I was a boy growing up could turned the other chick to the situation in Kogi State. I am wondering what has become of a man I knew as the man of action of the then North Eastern State of Nigeria. What has become of a man that majority of Nigerians hope to stand with for what is right at all time? What has become of the President we all whole heartedly supported? Again, I am not here to castigate President Buhari because I knew his nature of responsibility has quadruple a million times.
Nevertheless, when a State is in the stage of anarchy, truth got to be told even if those who you are piloting rebuffed to see the reality. I will now dissect what has been happening in Kogi State right from 1991 which is approximately 24 years ago. One will argued how do you know what was happening to a State that was created when you are not even in the Country? My answer to those kinds of people is simple, I left Nigeria when Kogi State never existed which was a true statement, but Nigeria or Ebira Oiza has never left me. Out of twenty four years of the presence of Kogi State Igalas has ruled Kogi, all of those years, they have nothing to show for it. Kogi State is the least State among all the State that were created around the same time. President Buhari came from a very small place compare to the entire North yet he became the Head of State and President of Nigeria with High values.
During the time when Ebira and Okuns were fighting for Kogi State the Igalas were busy fighting for Okura State. When they could not succeed in creating their own State they decided to team up with West and Central to create Kogi State. Partly it is the fault of Okuns and Ebira in allowing them to join us. I am not also surprised that they suffered in the hands of the majority of Benue people because of their greediness and shadiness in dealing with the affairs of their former State.
When the Igalas were preparing to join Kogi State they manufacture forged documents to show to Okuns and Ebiras. Since the Igalas were the one migrating from Benue to Kogi State they inflated the level of their workers. For example those who are in level 4 in Benue State were given level 7 with the date of service been forged to reflect their seniority over the same level with their counterpart in their new State of Kogi. They systematically displaced every educated elite of Okuns and Ebiras. As I write this article, go into the state of Kogi and compile a data analysis of who heads the various Para status of Kogi State. Igalas are number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 before they can even place one Yoruba or Ebira in the slot.
The problem we have in the State is not because Ebira or the Okuns did not have the common sense to team together to face the Igalas since they are the one that has ostracized the State for 24 years they have brainwashed our youths who all they knew was Igala men have been ruling the State right from when they were born. They have used stolen money from Kogi State treasury to make our youths susceptible. The sad part of it was that we have people of my age who wined and dined with these evils from both Okun and Ebira to sell their integrity. The Late Audu they are all clamoring around calling him the Adoja of Kogi State which I do not care to find the right meaning of it in Igala language. I can predict that might mean the Lion of Kogi State. Yes he was a Lion that stole all our wealth. He was a Lion that stripped Obangede hospital completely naked. Yes he was a Lion that stole our entire budget and bought many houses in the United States and all over the world. Yes he was the Adoja of all thieves. These do not preclude former Governor Ibro and Wada from this systematic way of annihilation of our people.
What shall it profit a man if he gained the whole world and loses his soul? The profit they all acquired is all vanity upon vanity. Yes I know the ordinary Kogites have suffered in the hands of these looters and they continued to agonize because the Federal Government decided to close their eyes as if they do not know what is happening.
My question to President Buhari is, when are you going to voice out to come out of your box to actually speak the truth? Ajaokuta has been abandoned for decades just because it is in Ebira land. President Buhari, despite the fact that I had blamed you in the past for halting Ajaokuta’s progress when you cut short the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Sagari, yet I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you are looking at the bigger picture for Nigerians thinking if you had had enough time then you probably could have commence the realization of Ajaokuta.
Let us dive into the meat and potatoes of issues Mr. President. You knew late Audu was a criminal you kept quiet. You knew that other ethnic group of Kogi States were relegated you kept quiet. You knew that the Primary election that was held in Kogi State in which Audu emerged as a winner he did not follow the protocol of resigning from his position he held in the party that by law he was supposed to resign yet the big guns Tinubu sheltered him. You knew that after his dead that the INEC made a report that result of the election was inconclusive because of Audu’s death. If Audu was alive and he was sworn in before his untimely dead, the deputy Governor that was handpicked by Tinubu should have been the Governor. You also knew that by virtue of constitution regardless about its clarity the next person who supposed to take over from him should have been Alhaji Yahaya Bello since he emerged the second in the race of the primary election. Yet you continued to stay mute about these injustices that continued to devour the entire State of Kogi.
Mr. President I urge you to use your good office to speak out for the voices of voiceless that I knew you in the past to be a strong advocate for. Where is President Buhari of former North Eastern State? Where is the voice of the President that wants justice for Umaru Dikko back in the 80s? Where is the voice of President Buhari who declared war against indiscipline? Where is the voice of President when I visited home in 1985 Nigeria look like small London? The reason why I am asking all of these questions are simple, you could not have been the same Buhari I knew all my life. For injustices to continue under your nose without voicing out to allow the rule of law to take place is mind bothering to me.
In my final analysis, Mr. President you should be fair to all Nigerians whether it is politically correct or not. Remember your stewardess was what had made Nigerians all over the globe to clamor all around you in your last election. I therefore, urge you to use your good office to fight what is for the Ebiras and Okuns in a State of anarchy. I am a proud Nigerian despite the fact that I left the Nation for more than three decades of my life. I love Kogi State and its people and I love Nigeria as long as I am alive. Again, you can take someone out of Nigeria but you cannot take Nigeria out of them. Long Live Ebiraland! Long Live Nigeria at large!!
Joseph Ozigi Akomodi wrote from United State of America. [myad]
The Kogi state government, under the leadership of governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sacked 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
The sack was contained in a statement issued today in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, James Adedoyin.
The statement cited section 20, sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.
It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them.
Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.
They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.
The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, even as it directed the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.
The statement said that handing and taking over should be completed by tomorrow, Wednesday.
One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of governor Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.
They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.
Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.
Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until November 23. [myad]
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President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Head of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan were amongst the dignatries that were in Ikene, Ogun state today to pay their last respect to the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) who made her glorious and final exit.
Open Letter To President Buhari On Kogi, By Joseph Ozigi Akomodi
I have always stood for what is right regardless of how people feel. Those who take their time to study me well know that I call a spade a spade whether it is politically sound or not. I am not a politician and I do not intend to be one and I am not looking for any favor from anyone in any shape or form. What prompted me to write this letter to President Buhari is of many folds.
Ebira as a Kingdom awesomely supported Muhammadu Buhari that led to his victory as President of Nigeria. I, in person knew how much support I accorded Buhari. It is not how much money you have in support of a candidate or how much stolen money that was lavished in an election. The moral and ethical standard of support given to President Buhari should make him wake up from his world of cocoon to face the reality of life. I do not dive into issue without carefully analyzing all the pros and cons of the issues.
President Buhari is a man I knew as young boy growing up in the North Eastern State when he became the Governor of North Eastern State specifically Bauchi that was later carved out of North Eastern State. Buhari was a man in my eyes as a man of action and trustworthiness, which was the main reason I was very passionate in my support for him during his election. President Buhari was a man who would like to be poor as far as someone out there has no food to eat. Buhari was a man who will do his very best for Nigerians because he understood what politics is really all about. He understood that as a leader you ought to serve the people who elected you into voice to make a difference in people’s life. President Buhari believes in teaching people how to fish instead of giving fish to the people. President Buhari believes in educating the young minds of our youths that was why I was so passionate about his leadership skills.
After President Buhari became the President elect the entire world celebrated his victory which was a landslide. I am perturbed that same man that I knew right from when I was a boy growing up could turned the other chick to the situation in Kogi State. I am wondering what has become of a man I knew as the man of action of the then North Eastern State of Nigeria. What has become of a man that majority of Nigerians hope to stand with for what is right at all time? What has become of the President we all whole heartedly supported? Again, I am not here to castigate President Buhari because I knew his nature of responsibility has quadruple a million times.
Nevertheless, when a State is in the stage of anarchy, truth got to be told even if those who you are piloting rebuffed to see the reality. I will now dissect what has been happening in Kogi State right from 1991 which is approximately 24 years ago. One will argued how do you know what was happening to a State that was created when you are not even in the Country? My answer to those kinds of people is simple, I left Nigeria when Kogi State never existed which was a true statement, but Nigeria or Ebira Oiza has never left me. Out of twenty four years of the presence of Kogi State Igalas has ruled Kogi, all of those years, they have nothing to show for it. Kogi State is the least State among all the State that were created around the same time. President Buhari came from a very small place compare to the entire North yet he became the Head of State and President of Nigeria with High values.
During the time when Ebira and Okuns were fighting for Kogi State the Igalas were busy fighting for Okura State. When they could not succeed in creating their own State they decided to team up with West and Central to create Kogi State. Partly it is the fault of Okuns and Ebira in allowing them to join us. I am not also surprised that they suffered in the hands of the majority of Benue people because of their greediness and shadiness in dealing with the affairs of their former State.
When the Igalas were preparing to join Kogi State they manufacture forged documents to show to Okuns and Ebiras. Since the Igalas were the one migrating from Benue to Kogi State they inflated the level of their workers. For example those who are in level 4 in Benue State were given level 7 with the date of service been forged to reflect their seniority over the same level with their counterpart in their new State of Kogi. They systematically displaced every educated elite of Okuns and Ebiras. As I write this article, go into the state of Kogi and compile a data analysis of who heads the various Para status of Kogi State. Igalas are number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 before they can even place one Yoruba or Ebira in the slot.
The problem we have in the State is not because Ebira or the Okuns did not have the common sense to team together to face the Igalas since they are the one that has ostracized the State for 24 years they have brainwashed our youths who all they knew was Igala men have been ruling the State right from when they were born. They have used stolen money from Kogi State treasury to make our youths susceptible. The sad part of it was that we have people of my age who wined and dined with these evils from both Okun and Ebira to sell their integrity. The Late Audu they are all clamoring around calling him the Adoja of Kogi State which I do not care to find the right meaning of it in Igala language. I can predict that might mean the Lion of Kogi State. Yes he was a Lion that stole all our wealth. He was a Lion that stripped Obangede hospital completely naked. Yes he was a Lion that stole our entire budget and bought many houses in the United States and all over the world. Yes he was the Adoja of all thieves. These do not preclude former Governor Ibro and Wada from this systematic way of annihilation of our people.
What shall it profit a man if he gained the whole world and loses his soul? The profit they all acquired is all vanity upon vanity. Yes I know the ordinary Kogites have suffered in the hands of these looters and they continued to agonize because the Federal Government decided to close their eyes as if they do not know what is happening.
My question to President Buhari is, when are you going to voice out to come out of your box to actually speak the truth? Ajaokuta has been abandoned for decades just because it is in Ebira land. President Buhari, despite the fact that I had blamed you in the past for halting Ajaokuta’s progress when you cut short the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Sagari, yet I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you are looking at the bigger picture for Nigerians thinking if you had had enough time then you probably could have commence the realization of Ajaokuta.
Let us dive into the meat and potatoes of issues Mr. President. You knew late Audu was a criminal you kept quiet. You knew that other ethnic group of Kogi States were relegated you kept quiet. You knew that the Primary election that was held in Kogi State in which Audu emerged as a winner he did not follow the protocol of resigning from his position he held in the party that by law he was supposed to resign yet the big guns Tinubu sheltered him. You knew that after his dead that the INEC made a report that result of the election was inconclusive because of Audu’s death. If Audu was alive and he was sworn in before his untimely dead, the deputy Governor that was handpicked by Tinubu should have been the Governor. You also knew that by virtue of constitution regardless about its clarity the next person who supposed to take over from him should have been Alhaji Yahaya Bello since he emerged the second in the race of the primary election. Yet you continued to stay mute about these injustices that continued to devour the entire State of Kogi.
Mr. President I urge you to use your good office to speak out for the voices of voiceless that I knew you in the past to be a strong advocate for. Where is President Buhari of former North Eastern State? Where is the voice of the President that wants justice for Umaru Dikko back in the 80s? Where is the voice of President Buhari who declared war against indiscipline? Where is the voice of President when I visited home in 1985 Nigeria look like small London? The reason why I am asking all of these questions are simple, you could not have been the same Buhari I knew all my life. For injustices to continue under your nose without voicing out to allow the rule of law to take place is mind bothering to me.
In my final analysis, Mr. President you should be fair to all Nigerians whether it is politically correct or not. Remember your stewardess was what had made Nigerians all over the globe to clamor all around you in your last election. I therefore, urge you to use your good office to fight what is for the Ebiras and Okuns in a State of anarchy. I am a proud Nigerian despite the fact that I left the Nation for more than three decades of my life. I love Kogi State and its people and I love Nigeria as long as I am alive. Again, you can take someone out of Nigeria but you cannot take Nigeria out of them. Long Live Ebiraland! Long Live Nigeria at large!!
Joseph Ozigi Akomodi wrote from United State of America. [myad]